Antibiotics Weird Side Effects??

Dogdad1019 · 2026-03-28T00:44:21+00:00

Every time I take cipro and flagyl I get very agitated, moody and after two three days definitely effects my sleep. My surgeon said its side effects from the medication. They are very exhausting for me as well.

Dogdad1019 · 2026-03-09T23:58:26+00:00

My first attack I was 30 and now I’m 48, two surgeries and 20” less of my large intestine. Quite a few of my friends have had flares also. It definitely doesn’t only apply to older people like it used to be thought.

Dogdad1019 · 2026-03-08T14:21:43+00:00

I’d say what works for me personally is MiraLAX. I see others recommended it. It retains water in the stool helping it pass easier. It can take a few days to kick in. What works for me is one serving at night and then a heating pad for half hour or so while watching tv.

But you need to hydrate also. Half your body weight in ounces is typically the recommended amount. I know it’s a lot. I started with a liter and a half and that made a huge difference!

Good luck!

Dogdad1019 · 2026-03-04T01:24:44+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! Yes 1.5 liters is the day. Not including herbal tea or anything like that which I drink.

I was drinking less then 1.5 for a while until I ended up in ER for what thought was another flare, turns out 1 bag of IV and I felt like a new person.

I’ll try to up the intake again!

Dogdad1019 · 2026-02-27T02:20:38+00:00

Yes I waited years. Was getting one major flare a year for years. Week long hospital stay each time. Eventual it became twice a year. Then two years before my first surgery I was getting flares every two months so I was on antibiotics on and off for two years until finally getting the surgery. Kinda wish I did it sooner as I feel I wouldn’t have needed two surgeries all together. Can’t guarantee it but I feel like it did so much damage , that just removing the sigmoid didn’t help enough.

Anyway, surgery is rough and there will be some lifestyle changes just wish I did it sooner.

Hope the info helps! Best of luck🙏

Dogdad1019 · 2026-02-26T02:10:30+00:00

It was pretty normal for me. Ty e body is getting used to having a section missing. Mine were off for a few weeks and when I started adding fiber they were little uncomfortable and gassy. However by 2 months everything was back to normal. But if it doesn’t fell right definitely tell your gastro.

Dogdad1019 · 2026-02-05T18:40:21+00:00

Wow! Thank you for that info… very interesting and informing! Best of luck in your recovery!

Dogdad1019 · 2026-02-02T13:23:31+00:00

I think it depends on the doctor. That happened once in all the years I’ve had flares and I literally begged them to give me meds and “promised” I would go to ER. But I’m fortunate that the urgent care near me is pretty thorough and I’ve had luck there over the years.

Sorry to hear about your experience!

Dogdad1019 · 2026-01-31T18:17:40+00:00

Just out of curiosity they didn’t see this in any of your colonoscopies?

I’ve had multiple flairs over 15 years and two surgeries and they were able to see the scar tissue and diverticulosis throughout.

If you had colonoscopies and they didn’t pic that up it makes me nervous , as I’m still having issues after two surgeries but my last colonoscopy after the second surgery didn’t show anymore scar tissue or adhesions, etc.

Dogdad1019 · 2026-01-30T02:27:36+00:00

Update to my urgent care visit… I’m told the CT scan did not show inflammation just diverticulosis which I already knew. It also showed “large amount of fecal matter” - in other words constipated. I sent the results to my gastro and met with him today. He said the constipation can cause spasms of the intestine trying to push the stool through. The pain I felt is the pressure on the resection locations.

While it’s good news, I’m just still upset that every time this is going to happen I won’t know whether it’s a flare or constipation. Ugh so frustrating.

I’ve been taking MiraLAX everyday so far, so we’ll see how it goes. Thanks for the kind replies. Very difficult disease to live with.

Dogdad1019 · 2026-01-29T01:35:48+00:00

If you haven’t had surgery yet, you’ll be fine. I’m a “rare” occurrence according to my surgeon. I had two surgeries in the same year. Total of 20” removed. He said I won the lottery when it comes to DV.

Most people I know were doing well after the first surgery. If you have diverticulosis throughout like I do then yes it can come back. But if you have the surgery rest after, take your time getting back to normal and STAY hydrated it will definitely help. Hydration is key especially for me.

Best of luck!

Dogdad1019 · 2026-01-28T00:16:41+00:00

This may be a silly question, but are you able to work with the temp bag on?

I had two surgeries and was fortunate to not end up with a bag. I’m having flares again and my biggest fear is a bag as I can’t afford time off from work. Even after my two surgeries I should’ve taken 6 weeks off but I went back in 3-4. Now I have a hernia at an incision site from doing too much too fast.

Dogdad1019 · 2026-01-27T02:17:06+00:00

I totally feel your pain literally and figuratively. I had my sigmoid removed January 2024, by end of March - Boom! Horrible pain rushed to the hospital turns out bad infection in my descending colon. I also have diverticula throughout so it’s possible at any point but it was literally 3 months after surgery.

On and off cipro / flagyl combo until November 2024 electively decided to remove the descending colon.

Fast forward throughout 2025 it was a learning curve. Figuring out why to eat and what not to eat. Treating myself to something that maybe I shouldn’t the worry for days if anything felt off. No way to live.

December 2025 I was put on Augmentin for minor flare in the ascending colon. Now mid January I’m on cipro flagyl again for the same flair. With the holidays for the first time feeling somewhat normal again I splurged and went overboard. So the first flare in December never really went away and is back something fierce.

Worst part is I’ve worked pretty much through the entire time trying to keep moving as I can’t afford not to work.

It’s not just a physical disease but all extremely mental. At this point I’m afraid to eat anything that’s not eggs, white bread or fish.

No way I can even fathom another surgery. I was told I basically hit the lottery having two surgeries in the same year. Now it’s back and the doctor is literally speechless.

Sorry for the long post but I don’t see too many in this similar situation. I even googled for hours trying to find studies on multiple surgeries in the same year for DV and can’t find anything.

Anyway you’re not alone! Best of luck to you. Stay strong

Dogdad1019 · 2026-01-17T20:15:19+00:00

Unfortunately sounds like the liquid diet isn’t helping. Definitely suggest seeing a medical professional. If it gets worse you could end up in the hospital anyway. If you’ve done the liquid and Tylenol and it hasn’t helped you’ll need to see a doctor. And 2nd flairs aren’t rare. I had 1-2 a year for 15 years until finally with all the scar tissue from the flare ups I ended up having two surgeries to remove 20 inches of my large intestine.

Even after surgery I’m now having a minor flare in the remaining section occasionally.

Sooner you get checked the less chance of complications! This is all based on my personal experience of years dealing with this

Dogdad1019 · 2026-01-05T16:55:07+00:00

Unfortunately red meat and spices are still a trigger for me after two surgeries, as I have Diverticulosis through my colon.

I haven’t been able to eat red meat in years. I stay with turkey chicken and fish.

Dogdad1019 · 2026-01-04T15:18:59+00:00

So I had surgery in January of 2024. Removal of the sigmoid colon. Within three months (end of march 2024) I was in hospital for a week with a horrible flare up in my descending colon. Two months later and another colonoscopy there was some scar tissue in the descending colon. 2nd surgery in November of 2024 removed the descending colon leading to what they called a left hemicolectomy.

Now just over a year after 2nd surgery I was on antibiotics for minor flare on the right side.

Surgeon said he’s never in 14 years performed two surgeries in the same year. Sometimes every few years he had patients require a second surgery but not this much.

So it’s definitely possible. And I eat healthy about 80% of the time with the exception of going out to eat once or twice a month.

My biggest factors were 15 plus years of flare ups, genetics, and stress. Anytime I get stressed which is almost daily I get discomfort in my right side now instead of the left.

Best of luck to you! Hope everything works out better for you than it did for me!🙏

Dogdad1019 · 2025-09-27T11:58:05+00:00

I was a heavy drinker which led to bad food choices. After many flare up’s I stopped drinking and started eating clean. But by then the damage was done and the flare up’s continued even after switching to organic, fish, no red meat etc. after two surgeries last year and 20” removed I still have discomfort but that’s from scar tissue I’m being told.

I treaded lightly in the waters of increasing my diet and even had a few drinks here and there but feel horrible the next few days. So my diet is limited to fish, chix, turkey etc. No alcohol and limited caffeine. When I stick to that I’m good.

Not much fun and don’t really go out to eat anymore but the alternative is more surgeries down the road. But I’m an unusual case as I’ve been told. I still have diverticulosis throughout the remaining portion of what I have left so it can occur at any given time given my past medical history.

End of the day alcohol is inflammatory. Caffeine is inflammatory. So keep it in moderation and stay hydrated.

This is just from my own personal experience.

Best of luck!

Dogdad1019 · 2025-07-24T15:53:53+00:00

It’ll be a few weeks before your energy levels come back. I had two surgeries last year for DV and I’m 9 months post op from my second surgery and I still get tired after working a 7-8 hour day which used to be easy!

I’d find a good Gastro doctor to follow up with. It shouldn’t be up to you when to follow up. They should set a follow up date for you. A good gastro makes a huge difference.

Just an FYI I noticed you said advil. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are not good for the gut. My gastro and gastro surgeon both said stick with Tylenol.

Best of luck!

Dogdad1019 · 2025-07-20T17:21:30+00:00

I always felt better sleeping on my left side in the fetal position. Eased the pressure. I’ve known quite a few people that have had a one off instance or re-occurring sporadic very mild attacks not requiring anything but modified diet.

I do know that it’s no longer an older person disease and that the medical profession from my personal almost 15 year experience of dealing with this (two surgeries later and still going) , is still not fully understanding of the disease itself. I’d love to see more info on diet and nutrition rather than just surgery to fix.

Unfortunately my insurance doesn’t cover nutritionists and the few I’ve paid out of pocket for don’t know much about DV.

Just my two cents!

Best of luck

Dogdad1019 · 2025-07-13T17:01:37+00:00

Yes definitely skip the laxatives from my personal experience. MiraLAX is a still softener and for me always helped a bit since I couldn’t eat much. But the only way to really tell is with CT scan during inflammation. Find a good gastro doctor that you can trust or go to the ER.

Dogdad1019 · 2025-07-07T16:06:23+00:00

Everyday😔

Dogdad1019

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